Circular Letter from President Herman M. Johnson

President Herman M. Johnson issues this circular letter as additional southern states secede after Fort Sumter and asks that Dickinson College students return to Carlisle. While "the excitement which has arisen from the sudden outbreak of the war" was "considerable for two or three days," President Johnson explains that "classes are all going on regularly with their work" and warns that "all who wish to retain their places are expected to return as soon as practicable." In addition, Johnson notes that "the apprehension which some felt that students from the South were not safe is entirely unfounded."